As I exited the elevator to find my room, I noticed what looked like a draft beer bar in the hallway.  Of course, it wasn’t free beer, although I’m sure that hotel amenity would get lots of folks to book, it was a water station.  With three pulls representing tap, cold and sparkling water, you had your choice to fill the glass carafes provided or to fill your water bottle.  I fell in love with The Bankside Hotel before I even entered my room.  The amount of money saved from buying bottled water was awesome and I was helping the environment – win/win.

As I found my room, I opened the door to see the expansive floor to ceiling windows overlooking the courtyard along with high ceilings, evidence of a newly built property along Bankside.  I was finally back in London after a two-year hiatus and starting my vacation on a luxury boutique hotel note. I was also exhausted arriving on the 6:30 am flight with little sleep and my shower at the BA Arrivals lounge in T5 didn’t help much, so the sight of the king-sized bed was very much an oasis at 10 am on a Thursday (normal check in time is late afternoon so I was thrilled with any room they gave me at that point).

Bankside Hotel Location

The past few years, I’ve really enjoyed staying on Bankside (Southwark) area next to the river Thames and near Blackfriars station for both the tube and overground trains. For travel options in detail to Bankside Hotel, page down to the end of the post.

The hotel is behind the Sea Containers Hotel (where I’ve stayed many times watching the Bankside Hotel being built) on Upper Ground Street.  The river Thames is across the road so you can easily walk along the river (called Southbank). You can also walk over Blackfriars bridge to the tube station (serving multiple lines such as the Circle and District), or across the street and down the stairs to the Blackfriars overground station.  Other highlights in the area include Gail’s Bakery (the double chocolate cookie is a must!) in the courtyard and a Waitrose around the corner.  Within ten minutes’ walk are many cafes and shops behind the Tate Modern including Pret, M&S Food, Amazon Grocery, Joe the Juice and Leon (my gluten free family loves it here).

Bankside is a great place to anchor your stay as you can walk along the waterside past Southbank Center, National Theatre up to the London Eye, across to Parliament and Big Ben and further afield to Westminster Abbey and The Churchill War Rooms.  Walking the other way, you’ll see the Tate Modern, Millennium Bridge to The City and St. Paul’s Cathedral.  Continue walking past The Globe Theatre up to Borough Market or hop on the Riverline (Uber Boat) to The Tower of London.  It has become my favorite area to stay given the many amenities, the quiet at night and the ease of transit.

With all the food options on Bankside, breakfast is a bit tricky with mostly takeaway options (coffee, croissant) so I suggest starting the day at the hotel’s main restaurant Art Yard Bar & Kitchen as they offer a buffet breakfast and ala carte breakfast so you can splash out with a full english breakfast or just order egg with toast. There’s also an outdoor courtyard area for nicer (warmer) weather.

London King Room at Bankside Hotel

London isn’t known for their large hotel rooms or newly built hotels so anytime you find either definitely book it to experience something new in London.  As for me, anytime I can have high ceilings it makes all the difference.  The room design took advantage of all the space high and low.

Upon entry, I had the bathroom sliding door on the left with the wardrobe outside.  Next to the bathroom, the bedroom area had a king-sized bed, chair, windows and long desk with drawers, refrigerator (free cans of water and creamers for coffee), minibar with two bags of popcorn (complimentary) and a settee for my luggage. The wardrobe contained all the standard items – two robes (not white), two pair of slippers, iron, ironing board, safe, hangers, etc. If you are someone who unpacks their luggage (not me), then you had ample space in the wardrobe and drawers.  If you live out of a suitcase, like I do, then the settee was perfect size for a suitcase to stay.

Basically, a lovely place to base myself in London for five nights and reacquaint me with London and travel again.  Two years away was enough to change so much of the city and close so many favorite shops. I chose to keep “do not disturb” sign on most days and declined housekeeping as I had done pre-pandemic and will continue to do post. When I needed anything from housekeeping, I only had to order on the iPad.

Bankside Hotel Bathroom

Now let’s talk about this swoon worthy bathroom.  Seriously, I want to replicate this at home.  The sliding doors opened to a large walk-in shower on the right, vanity in the middle and toilet on the left overseen by this interesting artwork. The hotel has an art program and creative studio on the property with artist in residence so if you love art, this will be a fun hotel for you to discover emerging artists.

The toiletries are environmentally friendly meaning you can’t bring them home anymore.  Such a shame as this was a lovely brand Grown Alchemist.  The shower pressure for the rain shower or handheld were both strong and refreshing.  The bathroom also has a night light feature you can turn on from the bedside controls.  Once I controlled the room darkening shade, I didn’t need (or want) an ounce of light in the room.  I slept well once in total darkness (until the fire alarm incidents below).

Hotel Technology – In Room Touch Pad

I didn’t expect the jet lag and it hit me in spurts over three days, so I took advantage of the room service menu a few times.  The iPad ordering was fantastic and my food (one night a burger, another night a bunch of sides) arrived in less than 30 minutes, my housekeeping request for a toothbrush arrived in 5 minutes.  The technology add on was a nice touch and hoping more hotels are able to utilize this.

Bankside Hotel Gym

The common areas on the ground floor include the front desk where folks are sitting at a communal table and you’d be forgiven if you thought it, was a co-working space.  There are two seating areas on either side and the staff were very welcoming.  The hotel gym was in the basement and has an accessible lift which was surprising in the small space but speaks to the new build hotel.  There was a good selection of equipment, weights and accessories to utilize.  The gym requires keycard access.

 

London Fire Alarms Incidents

Given my jet lag and need for naps, I was surprised to be awaken two days in a row by fire alarms.  The first day was short alarm but zero announcement in room as to what to do.  Was this real alarm?  Test?  There was no warning so in my stupor I wasn’t sure what to do.  I called the front desk and no answer, so I called the bar and was told it was false alarm.  Ugh, back to sleep I went.

The next day it was a longer alarm unlike the day before and this time I poked my head into the hallway to see if anyone was directing folks as a real alarm.  Again, no one in the hallways, no announcements – both of which annoyed me as no advanced notice about this “test”.  Again, I fell asleep.   Funny enough I was visiting a friend at a nearby hotel that had a note hanging in the elevator to warn guests of a fire alarm drill later that day.  If only my hotel had done that.  So definitely an area for improvement. As it was the only issue during my stay, I’ll chalk it off as learning experience and happy it wasn’t a real fire alarm.

Marriott Bonvoy Award Pricing London

I visited during the Queen’s Jubilee weekend (June), prices at hotels were quite high (over 450 GBP or $525/night plus VAT) so I was happy I used points and booked four months prior using Marriott Bonvoy’s stay 5, pay 4 points promotions.  The cost was 60,000 points per night so the total cost was 240,000 points for a stay valued at $2,700-3,000 (aka outside my budget).  Bankside Hotel is a top tier Autograph Collection property in the Marriott program, so I was happy to find space for my visit. Autograph Collection has seven London properties. Prices will vary especially in high season so expect to pay at least 300GBP+ in off season.   (Note: The King’s coronation is scheduled for May 2023)

Final Thoughts – King Room Luxury in London

Despite having 161 rooms over six floors, the hotel felt like a small boutique property throughout my stay. I saw the most people during my stay when I was at the hotel restaurant otherwise, I had the lifts to myself as well as the hotel gym.  This is a fantastic property in the Marriott portfolio, and I’d love to stay here again as it’s fresh and modern with lovely amenities and practical touches.  If you have Marriott points, definitely splash out in this London hotel like I did.

How to Travel to Bankside Hotel from London Airports and London Transport

To/From the airport (allow an hour, I’ve done it quicker, but an hour helps with estimating hotel arrival) on public transport:

Heathrow: You can take either the new Elizabeth tube line (aka Lizzy Line) or Heathrow Express

• • Elizabeth line: 11 stops to Farringdon and switch to the overground (Brighton is one of many trains to look for) for two stops to Blackfriars.
  • Heathrow Express: Heathrow Express to Paddington, switch to the Elizabeth line with a change to the overground at Farringdon.  Buy the discounted Heathrow Express ticket and then pay as you go on the tube line.

Gatwick: Overground from Gatwick to Blackfriars Station

Blackfriars overground station – you will exit the outdoor platform either by the lift (elevator) or stairs to the riverside exit. From there you have two options to the hotel:

• • Stairs to street level and cross the road at the light to Upper Ground – the Marriott Bankside hotel is second building.
  • To avoid stairs, roll your luggage along the riverside walk under the bridge to Sea Containers hotel and use the side alley to reach Upper Ground (street). The hotel will be across the road.

Blackfriars tube station – from the Circle (yellow) or District (green) lines.  Exit the station and walk across Blackfriars bridge to the traffic light.  At the light, cross the road to Upper Ground, the hotel is the second building on the left.